John Runy Obituary

It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of John Runy on July 30, 2025. John passed away at Prisma Richland surrounded by his family after a long illness. John was born Jochen Haniche in Hamburg, Germany, on September 21, 1941, to Gertrude and Herman Paul Haniche. He immigrated to the United States on Dec. 24, 1948, and moved to White River Junction, VT, in 1949. He graduated from Hartford High School in 1960 and was awarded a 4-year academic scholarship to the Citadel in Charleston, S.C., where he received a degree in Political Science. After graduation from the Citadel, he received an East West Fellowship to the University of Hawaii where he earned a MA in Political Science with a focus on Asian Studies. John was inducted into the United States Army in 1964 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1987. As a Military Intelligence officer, he served in in the U.S., Germany, Vietnam, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. During the Vietnam War, John was assigned to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) and served as an intelligence advisor to the Vietnamese Village Province Chief of Kien Phong. His distinguished service earned him numerous awards including the Bronze Star and Air Medal for his service in Vietnam, as well as the Meritorious Service Medal and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Upon his retirement, he opened an AlphaGraphics print shop in Fayetteville, NC. After selling the business, he moved to Columbia in 1994 and opened ApexGraphics (formally AlphaGraphics) with his son Jay until July 2024, when the business was sold. He was an avid reader, history lover and spoke several languages fluently. He had a photographic memory and was a constant source of amazement with his recollection of details and obscure facts. He was a long-time member of Northeast Presbyterian Church and the Good News Bible Class where he taught numerous classes and made many cherished friends throughout the years. John was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Jens Runy, and his first wife, Laura Gnann Runy, who passed away in 2011. He is survived by his wife, Carol George Runy; his son, Jay Runy (Jan); his daughter, Lee Ann Jarousse (Andrew); step daughters Paula George Cox (Bryon) and Joanna George Weitzel (Steve); his grandchildren, Byron and Elizabeth Jarousse, Chris Cox (Nicole} and Stephanie Cox Ryan (Brandon}, Erin and Davis Weitzel; his beloved great grands, Cameron and Kennedy Ryan and Ella and Everett Cox; sister-in-laws, Linda Runy and Joyce Gnann Kiser; and niece and nephew Jennifer and Michael Runy (Kate). A Celebration of Life will be held 1 o'clock, Tuesday, August 5th, at Northeast Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends following the service. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel is assisting the family. Memorial donations may be made to Pawmetto Lifeline Shelter, 1275 Bower Parkway, Columbia, S.C. 29212, or to Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Road, Columbia, S.C. 29223.